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The River in the Sky
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The River in the Sky
$2499
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?
Ideal for readers interested in poetry, memoir, and cultural reflection, especially those drawn to thoughtful explorations of life, death, and art. Fans of lyrical and autobiographical poetry will find this a moving and inspiring read.
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See moreA soaring autobiographical poem, meditating on death and celebrating life, from one of our most cherished, critically acclaimed and bestselling writers.
A meditation on death and life from one of our most cherished, critically acclaimed and bestselling writers.
Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and
still learning, it may not be perfect - your
feedback is welcome!
Description
One of the most important and influential writers of our time Sunday Times
Clive James has been close to death for several years, and he has written about the experience in a series of deeply moving poems. In Sentenced to Life, he was clear-sighted as he faced the end, honest about his regrets. In Injury Time, he wrote about living well in the time remaining, focusing our attention on the joys of family and art, and celebrating the immediate beauty of the world.
At the opening of The River in the Sky, a book-length poem, we find James in ill health but high spirits. Although his body traps him in his Cambridge house, his mind is free to roam.
The River in the Sky takes us on a grand tour of "the fragile treasures of his life". Animated by powerful recollections, James presents a flowing stream of vivid images. He moves from emotionally resonant personal moments, such as listening to jazz records with his future wife, to unforgettable encounters with all kinds of culture: Beethoven's Ninth Symphony sits alongside YouTube's vast cosmopolis.
As ever with James, he shares his passions with enormous generosity, making brilliant and original connections, and fearlessly tackling the biggest questions: the meaning of life and how to live it. In the end, what emerges from this autobiographical epic is a soaring work of exceptional depth and overwhelming feeling, a new marvel for the modern age.
Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?
Praised as a 'superb, epic lament' by The New York Times, The River in the Sky is recognised for its intellectual agility and emotional depth. Critics commend James's masterful storytelling and vivid imagery, highlighting the poem's flowing structure and its poignant meditation on mortality and joy. Described as a vital contribution to modern poetry, the work captures the pleasures of life even in the shadow of death, affirming James as one of the most vital English-language poets.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781509887248
Publisher: Pan Macmillan
Format: Paperback / softback
Date Published: 01 September 2022
Country: United Kingdom
Imprint: Picador
Audience: General / adult
DIMENSIONS
Spine width: 11.0mm
Width: 130.0mm
Height: 197.0mm
Weight: 166g
Pages: 128
About the Author
Clive James is the multi-million-copy bestselling author of more than forty books. His poetry collection Sentenced to Life and his translation of Dante's The Divine Comedy were both Sunday Times top ten bestsellers, and his collections of verse have been shortlisted for many prizes. In 2012 he was appointed CBE and in 2013 an Officer of the Order of Australia.
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